The Austin Toros recently released their upcoming schedule and if you are a fan like myself, then here are a few key dates to look for in the upcoming season.

Last year the Toros made it to the Western Conference Finals, before losing to the eventual champions Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Though they did not go out without a fight.

They pushed the Vipers to the third and final game of the series and even held a lead late in the game. Turnovers would end up being their demise. So lets begin where the Toros season ended, with the Vipers.

The Toros play the defending champion Vipers a total of nine times during the regular season which amounts to almost 20% of their games. That’s plenty of opportunities to rid themselves of the taste of defeat still left in the mouths of players like Curtis Jerrells and Alonzo Gee. Their first and second home games will be against the Vipers on November 27 and 28. A great opportunity for Spurs fans to get a view of potential players hoping to one day be called up by Spurs’ coach Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford.

Other dates that include the Toros-Viper match ups are January 7 and 8 (away), February 10 and 12 (home), February 16 (away) and March 18 and 19 (away).

Another match up to watch during the Toros season will be against the Texas Legends. A team the Dallas Mavericks just purchased and became affiliated with. Needless to say this has the potential to become a budding rivalry. Both Toros and Spurs fans should be excited for this series as it creates a whole new element to the Spurs-Mavericks rivalry. Five games into the season we will get our first look at this match up on November 30 when the Toros travel to Frisco, Texas. Other dates that feature this match up are February 21 (away), March 2, 3, 31 and April 1 (home).

The NBA D-League makes its debut in SouthPadre Island this year featuring the Toros in two of its annual “Showcase” games in mid-January. Every team will be featured in games during the showcase which runs from January 10-13. The Toros will play against the Dakota Wizards on January 12 and against the Bakersfield Jam on the 13.

I have attended Toros games in the past and will admit the team knows how to treat its fans. There are plenty of give aways, fan interaction and for the price you just can’t go wrong. For ticket information visit www.austintoros.com